Load Cell Support Assembly for Bariatric Patient Bed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bariatric patient support apparatuses experience metal deformation and inaccurate load scale readings due to high contact forces during patient loading and unloading, which affects the reliability of weight measurements.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an additional support assembly between the load cell contact point and bed frame to facilitate movement and pivotability, reducing the stress on load cell interfaces and ensuring consistent operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If load cells are used to measure patient weight in bariatric patient support apparatuses, then weight measurement capability is provided, but high contact forces during patient loading and unloading cause metal deformation at the load cell interface leading to inaccurate readings
Solution Approach 1:
A load cell support assembly is introduced as an intermediary component between the load cell and the bed frame. This assembly includes a wear plate and mounting structure that absorbs the high contact forces and mechanical stresses during patient loading and unloading, preventing these forces from being transmitted directly to the load cell interface. The intermediary structure protects the load cell from metal deformation while maintaining measurement accuracy.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the load cell interface is made rigid to ensure stable mounting, then structural stability is improved, but movement and pivotability during patient loading are restricted causing high contact forces
Solution Approach 1:
The load cell support assembly is designed with dynamic characteristics that allow controlled movement and pivoting during patient loading operations. The mounting structure includes features that permit necessary frame movement while maintaining stable load cell positioning, accommodating the dynamic nature of patient transfer operations without creating excessive contact forces.
3Device complexity
If the load cell is directly mounted to the bed frame, then device complexity is reduced, but the load cell interface is subjected to high contact forces causing metal deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is segmented into distinct functional components: the load cell support assembly with wear plate, the mounting structure, and the load cell itself. This segmentation allows the support assembly to specifically handle mechanical stresses and protection functions, while the load cell focuses on measurement functions. The segmented design adds structural complexity but maintains operational reliability by protecting the load cell from damaging forces.
Data Source
AI summary
A patient support apparatus comprising a patient support deck and a base to support the patient support deck from a ground surface, with a first frame assembly comprising a plurality of wheels to facilitate movement of the base, and a second frame assembly with one or more lift arms coupling the base to the second frame assembly. A load cell assembly to sense weight applied to the first frame assembly by the second frame assembly comprises a load cell support assembly coupled to the first frame assembly, and a load cell element coupled to the second frame assembly and mounted onto the load cell support assembly such that the second frame assembly is movable with respect to the first frame assembly along two axes of translation and is pivotable with respect to the first frame assembly about three axes of rotation.